UM Council of Bishops Goes 'Paperless' in Georgia, May 1-6

April 28, 2011

Bishop Warner H. Brown, Jr., resident bishop of the California-Nevada Annual Conference, will be among the 113 United Methodist bishops from Africa, Europe, Asia and the U.S. who will gather in St. Simons Island, Georgia for the semi-annual Council of Bishops meeting, May 1-6.

During the week, council members will attend strategic planning meetings and plenary sessions at Epworth by the Sea conference and retreat center. The meeting will include a memorial service on Sunday, May 1; the presidential address by Bishop Larry Goodpaster on Monday, May 2; a report from the Ecumenical Task Force, also on May 2; reports from the Call to Action interim operations team, primarily on May 2 and 4; a report from the Task Force on Theological Education on May 5; and other business matters. The plenary sessions are open to the public and the news media.

One significant change is that the meeting is intended to be totally "paperless." Bishops who have an iPad or Kindle will use those at the meeting to download and review reports, and those who do not have one will be provided an electronic means of downloading reports and work. News media will be able to download public documents online, as well.

About the Council of Bishops

The Council of Bishops – made up of 50 active bishops in the United States, 19 bishops in Europe, Asia, and Africa, and 86 retired bishops worldwide – provides leadership and helps set the direction of the 11.5 million-member Church and its mission throughout the world. The bishops are the top clergy leaders of The United Methodist Church, the second largest Protestant denomination in the U.S.